Suusamyr Valley Household Survey
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UNDP Kyrgyzstan Environment programme for sustainable development UNDP Project “Capacity Building and Environmental Governance Strengthening for Sustainable Development” Suusamyr Valley Household Survey Developed by Center of Public Opinion Study "El- Pikir" in frame of UNDP Project “Mountain Pasture Management in Valley of Suusamir in the Kyrgyz Republic” Bishkek 2005 Suusamyr Valley Household Survey Center of Public Opinion Study "El-Pikir" . The range of facts contained in this paper, their representation, as well as expressed standpoints do not necessarily match with a position of the UNDP and the Organization can not account to them. The original paper was written in Russian and translated into English by A. Joldoshbekova, the Kyrgyz Republic The authors of the paper are thankful to all experts for their contribution into the research, their sincere reaction and provided information. A special thanks are addressed to an independent Agriculture expert Akasbek Abdyrashitovich Abdyrashitov for his valuable proposals and comments to this publication. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AC Administrative Code ADB Asian Development Bank AO Aiyl Okmoty (village government) LG Local government MTB Material and Technical Basis FGD Focus Group Discussion H Housekeeping NSC National Statistics Committee UNDP United Nations Development Programmer The report was prepared by the Center for Public Opinion Survey “El-Pikiri”: E. Ilibezova, L. Ilibezova, R. Toktosynov, E. Selezneva- Bishkek 2005, 37p. 2 Suusamyr Valley Household Survey Center of Public Opinion Study "El-Pikir" CONTENT INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 4 METHODOLOGY.......................................................................................................................................... 4 1. CHARACTERISTICS OF RESPONDENTS ........................................................................................... 7 TRADE AND PUBLIC CATERING ON THE BISHKEK-OSH HIGHWAY .................................................................. 7 BISHKEK-OSH ROAD DRIVERS .......................................................................................................................... 8 PEOPLE.............................................................................................................................................................. 8 2. HOUSEHOLD PROFILES ........................................................................................................................ 9 POVERTY............................................................................................................................................................ 9 INCOME ........................................................................................................................................................... 11 STRUCTURE OF EXPENDITURES...................................................................................................................... 12 EXPENDITURES ON FIELD-CROP CULTIVATION AND LIVESTOCK BREEDING................................................ 13 3. FARM PROFILE ...................................................................................................................................... 14 ORGANIZATION OF FARMS .............................................................................................................................. 14 LIVESTOCK AND EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES ..................................................................................................... 15 BREEDS SPREAD IN SUUSAMYR VALLEY AND IMPROVEMENT OF BREED....................................................... 16 AVAILABILITY OF FODDER .............................................................................................................................. 18 4. SUUSAMYR VALLEY PASTURES....................................................................................................... 18 USE AND CONDITION OF PASTURES ................................................................................................................ 18 PASTURE RENT, SELF-ACQUISITION, AND USE BY PRIVATE PERSONS AD COMPANIES................................... 21 5. ECOLOGY................................................................................................................................................. 22 LIVESTOCK PONDS........................................................................................................................................... 22 ACCESS TO DRINKING WATER ........................................................................................................................ 23 CUTTING DOWN OF TREES............................................................................................................................... 26 WAYS OF GARBAGE DISPOSAL ........................................................................................................................ 27 6. PASTURE MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................................... 27 ATTITUDE TO PASTURE MANAGEMENT REGIME ............................................................................................. 27 CREATION OF PASTURE USERS ASSOCIATIONS .............................................................................................. 32 7. PROSPECTS OF DEVELOPING NEW INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES.......................... 33 8. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................. 36 3 Suusamyr Valley Household Survey Center of Public Opinion Study "El-Pikir" Introduction The purpose of this research is to provide information on social and economic status of families living in the Soosamyr valley their dependence on livestock farming and their expected reaction to introduction, stipulated by reconstruction and development of the outrun livestock farming, pasture rotation and partial re-orientation towards yak and camel farming and other alternative sources of life support. The participation and presentations in all discussions on development of the project document “Regime of Sustainable Management of pastures in the Soosamyr valley” – one of the most important research functions. The Soosamyr valley is located in the territory of the aiyl okmoty. The soosamy AO includes six villages: Soosamyr, Kaisar, Tynyk, Pervoye Mayia, Kojomkul, Karakol, and Kyzyl Oy. According to the AO the total number of households at present time composes 1354 homesteads, the population is 6418 people, out of which 3162 are of age 18 and elder. The ethnic structure of the AO residents is homogenous – 99.9% are the ethnic Kyrgyz and there are only two Russian families. There are five schools in the AO that teach 1473 children, there is one hospital, 1ambulance station and four medical obstetrician stations. The AO has two club houses, four libraries and three baths. All social and cultural facilities require and overall repair. There are 56 trade outlets, livestock market, and five mini-mills. The poverty line according to the is 18.5% which in average is higher than in the rayon (16.1%). There are three ADB clean water access project implementation communities in the AO. The region specialized in livestock farming in the Soviet era and farmed sheep/goat, and cattle. It retained large farms and winter cattle-folds. This study was initiated by the UNDP in Kyrgyzstan . The implementer of the project was an independent non-governmental organization, the “El-Pikir” Center for Public Opinion Studies, that professionally specializes in conducting research and works at present time as international consultant in five CIS countries. The researchers thank specialists of the key government structures, representatives of international and non-governmental organizations in Kyrgyzstan for their interest to the project works, information and data support, and comprehensive collaboration. The team addresses a special gratitude to residents of all villages of the Soosamyr valley that participated in the study for their sincere gratitude and informative discussions. Methodology The research covered views of different layers of the society ranging from regular households and chabans, heads of government structures, researchers and international organizations. The field stage of the study combined quantitative and qualitative methods of information gathering. 4 Suusamyr Valley Household Survey Center of Public Opinion Study "El-Pikir" The quantitative method contained a representative information on social and economic condition of households in the studied villages, their relation to new initiations in the management of remote and near-ravine pastures, and others. The qualitative study was conducted through profound interviewing of stakeholders and profound interviewing in the selected villages. The basis for recruitment were such criterions as: - excellent awareness about the work of the community, participation in its activities, the analytical way of thinking, age, ethnic, gender and professional differences. The target groups of this research consisted of: • Experts – 40 • Residents – 900 • Farmers, specialized in cattle farming – 15 • Owners of road side cafes – 15 • Vendors selling on the road - 30 • Truckers -20 • Private carriers (taxi drivers) -30 A special section in information gathering was devoted to analytical reports held by stakeholders. For these